Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The smoke of the military exercises had just dissipated, but the awe-inspiring simulated attack and defense, the charging of iron cavalry, and the volley of powerful crossbow bolts on the training ground still resonated in the hearts of the grassland and Northern Yan envoys who were watching the ceremony, and it also became a topic of great interest to the soldiers and civilians of Hanyuan.

However, for Xiao Chen and the high-ranking officers of the Han Yuan Army, the end of the martial arts exercise was not the end, but the starting point for a new round of improvements and breakthroughs.

The problems exposed during the exercises need to be addressed, while certain new equipment that performed well or even exceeded expectations during the exercises have become the focus of development.

Among these, the most eye-catching performance was that of the "Divine Arm Crossbow" and its improved models in the military exercises.

During the exercise, the Red Team, relying on fortifications and with crossbowmen as the core, repeatedly repelled the fierce attacks of the Blue Team's elite cavalry.

In particular, one experimental unit equipped with the latest "armor-piercing heavy crossbow" demonstrated remarkable penetrating power in simulated combat. Their specially designed triangular armor-piercing arrows, fired at a distance of 100 paces, easily pierced the double-layered leather and iron-plated composite armor worn by the blue force's heavy cavalry. They even showed astonishing penetrating power against discarded iron-clad wooden shields used as temporary targets. Had they not used blunt-tipped simulated arrows, the resulting casualties would have been terrifying.

This result drew attention from all the senior generals present, including Wang Dashan and Zhang Meng.

Cavalry, especially heavy cavalry, has always been the king of the battlefield and a symbol of assault power.

Meanwhile, the Hanyuan Army itself was also vigorously developing its cavalry. However, the emergence of the "armor-piercing heavy crossbow" seemed to herald the birth of a revolutionary weapon that could effectively counter heavily armored targets at long range.

Three days after the martial arts exercise, Xiao Chen personally visited the heavily guarded "Armament Division Heavy Test Range" outside Zhenbei New City to watch the latest improvements and live-fire tests of the "Divine Arm Crossbow" series.

On the testing ground, several different models of crossbows were lined up. From the lightweight "God's Arm Hand Crossbow" for individual use, to the "God's Arm Powerful Crossbow" which requires two people to operate, and then to the "Armor-Piercing Heavy Crossbow" which just showed its prowess in the military exercise and requires a winch for winding or a small tripod for support.

Next to them were targets made of various materials: single-layer leather armor, double-layer leather armor, leather armor inlaid with iron plates, iron lamellar armor, and even a small number of fine chainmail and scale armor captured from the Northern Yan and the grasslands.

The test was conducted by the head of the Ordnance Department, who was also the core person in charge of the "Divine Arm Crossbow" project. He was the prized disciple of the old blacksmith Ou, and his name was "Lu Fang". He was only thirty years old, but he had already mastered the true skills of blacksmith Ou, and he was quick-witted and good at research.

"Your Highness, please take a look. This is the improved version of the 'Armor-Piercing Heavy Crossbow' used in the martial arts demonstration, tentatively named 'Crow'."

Pointing to a crossbow that was entirely black, compact in structure, yet exuded a chilling murderous aura, Lu Fang explained, "The crossbow arm uses the latest 'stacked composite technology,' with highly elastic wood as the core and fine steel plates sandwiched between them, which reduces weight and greatly enhances tension."

The core components of the crossbow are all made of refined steel, and the key stress-bearing parts have been hardened.

The upper winding mechanism has been changed to a gear set. Although a winch is still needed, it reduces labor by half, is more stable, and is less prone to damage.

"Where are the arrows?" Xiao Chen asked.

"The arrows are specially made 'three-edged armor-piercing cones'."

Lu Fang picked up a crossbow bolt with a faint blue luster. "The arrowhead is triangular and conical, made entirely of high-carbon steel, and specially quenched, making it extremely hard. It also has barbs and a blood groove. The shaft is made of hardwood, and the fletching has been specially treated to ensure stable flight. This arrow is designed specifically for armor penetration and is very expensive, but its power... Your Highness, please take a look."

Test begins.

First, there was an ordinary "Divine Arm Crossbow," operated by a strong soldier.

The target is a single-layer leather armor target one hundred paces away.

"Bang!" The bowstring twanged, and the crossbow bolt flew like lightning. With a soft thud, the leather armor was pierced through as if it were made of paper, and the arrowhead was deeply embedded in the mound of earth behind it.

"One hundred and fifty paces, double-layered leather armor!"

The crossbow bolt struck again; although its penetrating power was slightly reduced, it was still enough to be fatal.

"Two hundred paces, Iron Leaf Leather Armor!"

This time, the crossbow bolt struck the target, not completely penetrating it, but the iron blade deformed and the arrowhead pierced deep into the wood. At this distance, ordinary arrows would hardly be able to inflict effective damage.

Next up was the main character – the "Raven" armor-piercing heavy crossbow. Two soldiers worked together, one holding the crossbow in place while the other cocked the winch to wind it up. Their movements were practiced and took about ten breaths.

"Target: 100 paces, lamellar armor!"

"Bang!" The dull thud of the bowstring was unlike the sharp sound of an ordinary crossbow. The bolt flew like a black streak, striking its target instantly.

"Thud!" A muffled sound.

Everyone who went forward to check gasped in shock.

The thick iron lamellar armor was torn open with a fist-sized gap, and the crossbow bolt pierced through the armor plate and drove deep into the hardwood target behind it, almost without a fletching!

"One hundred and fifty paces, chainmail!"

Chainmail, with its interlocking iron rings, offers excellent protection against arrows and slashes.

However, they were still not spared from the "jackdaw".

Although it did not penetrate completely, the enormous kinetic energy caused the chainmail to dent deeply and the iron rings to shatter. If it were a human, it would surely have broken bones and ruptured internal organs.

"Two hundred paces, wrapped with ironwood shield!"

This time, the crossbow bolt shattered the iron sheet on the shield's surface and embedded itself deeply into the three-inch-thick hardwood, almost piercing through the back!

The scene was completely silent, save for the howling wind. Everyone was stunned by the terrifying power.

Xiao Chen stepped forward, stroking the cold crossbow of "Crow," his eyes gleaming.

This power is close to or even surpasses that of the famous "Divine Arm Bow" and some early firearms in previous history.

In this era of cold weapons, this was simply a weapon of mass destruction! It allowed ordinary soldiers to pose a deadly threat to expensive heavy cavalry and heavy infantry from a safe distance.

If mass-produced and combined with appropriate tactics, it will have a revolutionary impact on the battlefield.

"What's the cost? What's the production capacity?" Xiao Chen asked the crucial question.

"Your Highness," Lu Fang replied, "'The Crow' has a complex structure and requires extremely high standards in materials and craftsmanship."

A single "Crow" crossbow costs about fifty taels of silver, which is ten times the price of an ordinary crossbow.

Currently, even the most skilled craftsmen in the Ordnance Department can only make one suit every three days.

To achieve large-scale mass production, it is necessary to improve the process, establish a dedicated production line, and train more craftsmen.

As for crossbow bolts, a single armor-piercing arrow costs about two hundred coins.

Expensive, but worth it.

Xiao Chen quickly calculated in his mind. Han Yuan was now financially powerful and could easily support the formation of a "heavy crossbow unit" of several thousand people.

This force will become the "firepower pillar" of the Hanyuan Army, and will be key to restraining the enemy's elite troops, defending strategic passes, and even turning the tide of battle in open field warfare.

"good!"

Xiao Chen said decisively, "Immediately establish the 'Heavy Crossbow Commandery,' directly under the command of the Central Army. The initial force will consist of one thousand men, equipped with three hundred 'Crow Crossbows' and seven hundred 'Divine Arm Crossbows.'"

Wang Dashan personally selected veterans skilled in archery and known for their composure and calmness, and provided them with targeted training.

"Ordnance Department, I'm giving you three months. Provide the manpower and funding you need to establish the 'Jack the Raven' mass production workshop. Three months later, I want the first batch of three hundred 'Jack the Ravens' delivered! At the same time, continue improvements; I want a lighter, faster, and more accurate model!"

"Yes!" Lu Fang excitedly accepted the order.

"In addition," Xiao Chen looked at Wang Dashan and Zhang Meng, "the heavy crossbow is powerful, but it is slow to draw and vulnerable in close combat. It must be equipped with dedicated escort infantry and mobile cover."

The Military Academy immediately began researching tactics to counter the heavy crossbows: how to deploy them, how to volley fire, and how to coordinate with cavalry and infantry. "I will make these 'crows' a nightmare for the enemy!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" Flames ignited in the eyes of both Wang Dashan and Zhang Meng.

They seemed to already see that on future battlefields, when the enemy's heavy cavalry launched their charge, they would be met with a rain of death like locusts, enough to tear steel apart.

The powerful crossbow that can pierce armor is not only the birth of a new weapon, but also represents another leap forward for Han Yuan in military technology and tactical thinking.

It will give the Hanyuan Army a trump card in future confrontations that could change the balance of power.